run love live

Perfect playlist

My music motivations. Tracks that make me wanna dance around the track. So in no particular order.....

Queen - Don't stop me now
Yazz - The only way is up
Daft punk - Get lucky
Rudimental - Feel the love
The Rolling Stones - Under my thumb
Chase & status - Running
Blondie - Heart of glass
D'lacey - Hideaway
Franz Ferdinand - No you girls
Queen of Japan - I was made for loving you
Robert Miles - Children
The Killers - Glamourous indie rock & roll
David Bowie - Heroes
The Stone Roses - I am the resurrection
Kings of Tomorrow - Finally
The Chemical Brothers - Hey boy hey girl 
Nneka - Heartbeat (chase & status mix) 
K-klass - Rhythm is a mystery
LCD Soundsystem - All my friends
Skream - In for the kill (feat. la roux) 
Frankie Knuckles - Your love
Doves - Pounding
Pink Floyd - Shine on you crazy diamond
Disclosure - White noise
Marlena Shaw - California soul
Groove Armada - Superstylin'
Donna Summer - I feel love
The Prodigy - Breathe 
Take That - Rule the world
Joy division - Love will tear us apart
Marvin Gaye - Got to give it up
Goldfrapp - Strict machine
East Side Beat - Ride like the wind

Just a few of my faves that keep me going for a marathon, rave on runners ;) 

Got me thinking.....

I read this today on an Instagram post of all places but it captivated me momentarily & it stirred some emotion in me, inspired me to think about self preservation situations & provoked thoughts pertaining to my circle of life.
This diminutive data prompts us to observe, trust & act upon your senses, our instinct & to ultimately 'live YOUR life' an idiom I admire & always adhere to, I added in the 'long run' part because it so fits & personalises the passage for me. & I share with you.

"The world is full of people who want to control you. They want to tell you how to live, where to go, what to think, and ultimately what is right and wrong. So, how do we find our way amid mixed messages & endless possibilities?
There is within each one of us, an inner compass. It's easy to follow.. But you have to slow down & check inside of yourself. Follow your inner compass. If you're feeling lost or confused, ask yourself, how does it make me feel? Contractive? Insecure? Expansive? Joyful? Are you afraid? Or is it excitement? You know.. You know!! & you are the only one who knows what is right for you. 
Take a little time each day to tune into that infinite, all knowing centre that is YOU. A walk in nature, yoga, meditation, A LONG RUN... In your own way find your centre, then watch your life blossom & miracles unfold."

I had to spread this beautiful secret, the love & positive energy, paying the joy forward. 

& good luck to all the runners in the sussan women's fun run tomorrow. To all the fighters. To all the lovers. To all the survivors. Bring on the pink!!! 

Pink crumblin'

1. Meh. Sickness. I am a bad patient. I HATE being stuck indoors, stomach pains, dizzy head, feeling sorry for self & sleeping. Sleeping is actually the best bit, those transcending afternoon sofa snoozes. But I am seeing the gastro light. & craving fruit crumble. So I made this healthy version for my sensitive tummy, it made me feel a wee bit better, made me go yummm & smile for the first time in days so I had to share the luv...
2. 
   
3. Pink crumblin' recipe - 
4. 
   
5. 2 pink lady apples
6. 1 cup blueberries
7. 1 cup raspberries 
8. 2 dessert spoons agave
9. 2 cups oats
10. 1 cup crushed almonds
11. 
    
12. Layer the fruit in a deep oven dish, then pour over the agave & then the crumble mix of the oats & almonds. Bake in the oven for 20/25mins... 
13. Will be extra yum with some coyo coconut natural yogurt when I'm feeling fully better!! But for now it's about simple pleasures & recovery measures. 

Concious chocolate

Chili & chocolate & consciousness. Three elements of which I have an affinity with. This conscious chili hot chocolate is divine deliciousness, totally vegan, organic, raw ingredients of goodness & I thoroughly recommend for a mindful munch. The rose flavour is florally fabulous too... Check out the range at  http://www.consciouschocolate.co.uk 

Ruminating razorback

My Friday feeling of anxiety saw me stressed at work, sleepless at night & feeling VERY nervous on Saturday morning November 30th. My dreams still traumatising me, of being lost out on a mountain & navigational nightmares. But never the less I was excited, super excited about this spontaneous ultra marathon mountain challenge.
We left my work on Friday afternoon, car packed & carb loaded, Eliza drove us up the the alpine ranges, to Harrietville in Victoria, where we would run/walk/hobble through the mountains the next day. The weather forecast 13 degrees which was not entirely accurate. & I was slightly under prepared, not having had a day of rest before, not anticipating the elevation, not packing sunscreen for the entire day in the heat, not having enough food packed to eat to fuel, not being able to read the map or how to use a compass, just not expecting to be on my feet all day & did I mention the mountain summits? All three of them to conquer!
An early sunrise start & I soon found out about the terrain when the first 11.5 kilometres were a steady climb. Trailing through a beautiful forest & summiting on top of a rocky crag with stunning views & a sense of being on top of the world. A first moment of amazement looking out over the Victorian alpine ranges was breathtaking.
& then I literally tumbled down the other side, 'the falling over every rock' technique I used to descent is not advised. & to be honest when I got to the bottom, a little bruised, hot, hungry, thirsty I felt a moment of instability & doubt. & then I met Jim. & with Jim, I would begin the rest of the journey in company, with conversation & he became my guide & guardian angel!! 
I clearly would have got completely lost in the bush if I wasn't with Jim. He led the way, advised me on the technically challenging areas & I followed in his footsteps & then we ran together across the plains on soft grass following the snow poles for miles before we climbed to the zenith mount Hotham & hit the rocky razorback's undulating paths. Through the changing landscapes we jogged & power walked the up hills & took rests for high sugar snacks. I thankfully picked up some power bars & salted peanuts from the 2 checkpoints along the 64k track. & with water from the springs I kept my body fuelled & hydrated for what turned out to be an epic day. 
We finished as the sun lowered in the sky, a day of amazing natural beauty, an unforgettable experience, finished off when greeted at the finish line by Eliza, my gorgeous little runner friend with her yummy Moroccan chick pea soup & vegan cookies. & then with a glass of Pinot at the pub. The photos just don't do the extreme stunningness justice, I guess you had to be there! Respect to all the runners who were there. 

Yours with sore legs, sunburned limbs & smiles xoxo 

Razorback run photos !!!